A wedding always comes with its hits and misses, Dolly Shah’s love story and a breathtaking Delhi wedding giving the fairy-tale vibess

It takes a lot to organise a perfect wedding, yet no wedding is without its share of goof ups but that’s what makes it so memorable. Bride Dolly Shah shares her Big Day memories with a smile for our readers and you can’t just help being a part of it,

When I close my eyes and think back to my wedding, the first thing that comes to mind is how surreal everything felt. From the moment I started dreaming about this day as a little girl, I knew it would be grand. But nothing prepared me for what it actually became. The wedding that Shubham and I ended up having was nothing short of a dream—a dream that exceeded all expectations. It was beyond anything we ever imagined, something neither of us could’ve dreamt of.

Our journey wasn’t always smooth. Getting our families on board took more time and effort than we anticipated. The path wasn’t clear, but it was ours, and we knew it was right. It took about two years of planning—throw in a global pandemic, and things got even more challenging. But once everything finally clicked into place, it was clear that this wedding was meant to happen in exactly this way.

I remember a moment when we were just a month away from the wedding. We were in a complete panic. We didn’t even have decor yet, and our initial wedding planner had left us high and dry with the worst designs. But then, in the midst of the chaos, we found an absolute gem—an uncle who asked us about color coordination and helped us create the perfect wedding atmosphere. The decor was absolutely breathtaking. It was like a Pinterest dream come true but, at the same time, so uniquely ours.

But the real magic wasn’t just in the aesthetics. It was in the energy that filled the air. The joy on the faces of our families and friends was contagious. I’ll never forget the moment my mom walked into my house, singing with such happiness. That’s what stays with me—the pure joy we felt from start to finish.

We added some personal touches that made the experience truly ours. Shubham and I always wanted our guests to feel special, so we went all out with thoughtful additions like a Garba workshop. Falguni Patak was going to perform at our wedding, and we wanted everyone to be able to join in the fun. It was a blast, watching everyone get into the rhythm.

But that wasn’t all. From the buggy services to the 24-hour coffee counters, we wanted to make sure that every guest felt rested and pampered. It was so important to us that everyone felt like they were a part of something truly special.

One of the most unforgettable moments was the way we entered. Our carriage entry, inspired by Taylor Swift‘s “Love Story,” felt so symbolic of our own journey. It was a nod to all the obstacles we overcame, the way our love story was almost like a fairy tale. As for my bridal walk, I had always imagined walking down the aisle to the song “Ranjhana” after seeing Kiara walk to it. It was everything I had imagined and more.

As for the dress, I broke tradition. While most Gujarati brides wear white (the Panetar), I chose a stunning red dress instead. It was the first one I tried on, and it was just perfect. But of course, no wedding is without its challenges. After finalizing my Sangeet dress, Shubham and I realized we couldn’t even raise our arms in it! So, we had to find a backup dress at the last minute.

The Sangeet was always meant to be a night of dance, and it truly delivered—everyone brought their A-game and danced their hearts out. But what surprised us most was the Carnival. It wasn’t meant to be a dance event at all. It was just a party to unwind, but the moment the DJ started playing, something shifted. The vibe was electric, and before we knew it, everyone was dancing like there was no tomorrow. That spontaneous joy? It was pure magic.

One of the most unique aspects of our wedding was hiring content creators to capture the entire experience. Even though the final content might not have been what we expected, the raw images and photos they took allowed me to relive every moment as though I was experiencing it for the first time.

But beyond all the chaos, the emotions, and the excitement, the real magic of it all was being able to marry my soulmate, my be…

Photographers – Seventy By Two
Wedding outfit – Sabyasachi
Sangeet outfit – Aditi Gupta
Reception outfit – Jigar Nikita